Atlético, Como & Co - Top-5 league clubs with most players from same nation as their manager
When a new manager comes into a team, he often tries to stamp his authority on his new side and make them a reflection of him. On some occasions this is even partly achieved by a manager signing a few of his countrymen. But which coaches favour their compatriots the most? At Transfermarkt, we have calculated which top-five league teams have the most players in their first-team squads whom are the same nationality as their manager. We have excluded players and managers who are the same nationality as the country in which they are playing. So for example Eddie Howe and the 16 Englishmen in Newcastle's squad would not be included. This has been done as many squads already have a plethora of domestic talent before a manager from that same nation even arrives. Without further ado, let's find out which managers are the most fond of signing their countrymen.
Top-5 league clubs with most players from same nation as their manager
People may be unsurprised to discover that top of the list is Atlético Madrid and Diego Simeone's Argentine Army. The 54 year old has been in charge of the LaLiga club for 14 years, and their current squad contains as many as six Argentinian players, including the manager's son Giuliano Simeone. Atlético also have Julián Alvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Ángel Correa, Juan Musso, and Nahuel Molina. Simeone's Argentine revolution could even spread further this summer, with Atlético heavily linked with Argentina and Tottenham centre-back Christian Romero. The other top-five league side with six players who share a nationality with their manager are the Portuguese bunch at Wolves. Manager Vitor Pereira coaches six of his countrymen in Nélson Semedo, José Sá, Rodrigo Gomes, Toti, Carlos Forbs, and Gonçalo Guedes.
In third is Spaniard Cesc Fàbregas and Como FC of Serie A, who have five Spanish player in their ranks. Then in fourth Argentine Eduardo Coudet's Deportivo Alavés have four Argentinian players. Four teams/managers share fourth position. Unai Emery's Aston Villa have three Spaniards, Arne Slot's Liverpool have three Dutchmen, Thomas Frank's Brentford boast three Danes, whilst Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen have three Spaniards. There are then 11 other top-five league teams who have two players from the same nations as their managers.
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jan 31, 2000 (25)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Atlético de Madrid
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2030
- Position:
- Centre-Forward
- Market Value:
- €100.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Dec 18, 2002 (22)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Atlético de Madrid
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2028
- Position:
- Right Winger
- Market Value:
- €35.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- May 24, 1994 (31)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Inter Miami CF
- Contract until:
- Dec 31, 2025
- Position:
- Central Midfield
- Market Value:
- €25.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Apr 6, 1998 (27)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Atlético de Madrid
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2027
- Position:
- Right-Back
- Market Value:
- €20.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- May 6, 1994 (31)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Atlético de Madrid
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2028
- Position:
- Goalkeeper
- Market Value:
- €3.50m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Mar 9, 1995 (30)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Tigres UANL
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2030
- Position:
- Right Winger
- Market Value:
- €10.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Nov 16, 1993 (31)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Fenerbahce
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2027
- Position:
- Right-Back
- Market Value:
- €9.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jul 7, 2003 (22)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2029
- Position:
- Right Midfield
- Market Value:
- €15.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jan 16, 1999 (26)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2029
- Position:
- Centre-Back
- Market Value:
- €28.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Mar 19, 2004 (21)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Club Brugge KV
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2029
- Position:
- Left Winger
- Market Value:
- €8.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Nov 29, 1996 (28)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Real Sociedad
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2028
- Position:
- Left Winger
- Market Value:
- €11.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jan 17, 1993 (32)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2027
- Position:
- Goalkeeper
- Market Value:
- €7.00m
- Date of Birth/Age:
- Apr 28, 1970 (55)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Atlético de Madrid
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2027
- In charge since:
- Dec 23, 2011
- Date of Birth/Age:
- Jul 26, 1968 (57)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- In charge since:
- Dec 19, 2024
- Date of Birth/Age:
- May 4, 1987 (38)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Como 1907
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2028
- In charge since:
- Jul 19, 2024
- Total Market Value:
- €578.80m
- Competition:
- LaLiga
- Manager:
- Diego Simeone
- Squad size:
- 22
- Latest Transfer:
- Santiago Mouriño
- Total Market Value:
- €318.80m
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Manager:
- Vítor Pereira
- Squad size:
- 27
- Latest Transfer:
- David Møller Wolfe
- Total Market Value:
- €243.80m
- Competition:
- Serie A
- Manager:
- Cesc Fàbregas
- Squad size:
- 40
- Latest Transfer:
- Jacobo Ramón
